AAPI Joy: Wellness, Healing, Resilience and Resistance
May 18, 2024, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Central Library
AAPI Joy is a celebration of the diversity of AAPI communities in Los Angeles. Weaving together affirming histories, stories and performances, this festival seeks to inspire acceptance, cooperation, and exploration in AAPI cultures into forging a shared future with the greater Los Angeles community.
Event Schedule
Kaulana Hula Studio
Time: 11 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Location: Outdoors
Ribbon-cutting ceremony with a hula performance.
L.A. Taiko Ichiza
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Location: Taper Auditorium
Premier Japanese taiko ensemble based in Los Angeles, CA
Author, Kaylin Melia George
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12 noonLocation: Children’s Picture Book Room
Kaylin Melia George will talk about her debut book Aloha Everything.
Zochada Tat, Author of "I Am Oum Ry"
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 noonLocation: Meeting Room B
Oum Ry Ban and Zochada Tat in conversation with Dr. Sara Pol-Lim about the book I am Oum Ry: A Champion Kickboxer Story of Surviving the Cambodian Genocide and Discovering Peace (DoppelHouse 2023).
Author, Paula Yoo
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 noonLocation: Teen’Scape
Paula Yoo is the author of 12 children's books and Young Adult novels. She will be speaking on her latest YA nonfiction book, Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire.
Hanbok Trunk Show and Craft
Time: 12 noon - 12:45 noonLocation: Meeting Room A
Come learn about Hanbok, a form of Korean traditional clothing.
Cambodian Arts and Entertainment
Time: 12:30 noon - 1 p.m.Location: Taper Auditorium
Performance of traditional Cambodian dance.
Program: Ikebana for Youth
Time: 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.Location: Meeting Room A
Experience the traditional Japanese flower-arranging craft of Ikebana.
Cooking Demonstration: Filipino Dessert
Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.Location: Meeting Room B
Come learn about Ube Halaya, a quintessential Filipino dessert with Jennifer Lim.
Author, Victoria Ying
Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.Location: Teen’Scape
Come meet Victoria Ying, an author and artist residing in Los Angeles. She's known for her works Hungry Ghost, City of Illusion, and much more!
Korean American Youth Performing Artists (KAYPA)
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.Location: Taper Auditorium
Traditional and modern Korean dances.
AMBIV Collective Workshop
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.Location: International Languages
The AMBIV Collective aims to empower disability and neurodivergent communities to live a meaningful and fulfilling life with storytelling and research-powered support. This program is built for the neurodivergent community and allies.
Author, Kimberly Gee
Time: 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.Location: Children’s Picture Book Room
Kimberly Gee is the author-illustrator of 11 children's books, from board books to early reader graphic novels.
Healing Arts Zine Workshop With Artist Jeanne Heo
Time: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.Location: Octavia Lab, LL2
Join us in the Octavia Lab as teaching artist Jeanne showcases some radical zines. Then stay for a demonstration on how to create your own zine. Jeanne Heo is an artist, healing massage therapist and holistic well-being advocate.
Registration is required to attend this in-person program. Please email rsvpoctavialab@lapl.org to sign up.
Introduction to Tai Chi
Time: 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.Location: Meeting Room A
Join this workshop to learn and experience Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits, and meditation.
Sound Bath
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.Location: Meeting Room B
Please join Vega and Wendy for a sound bath meditation designed to bring relaxation, healing, and community connection.
Program: Lei-Making Workshop
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Location: Teen’Scape
Learn to make a small lei with Leilani, a Hawaiian floral artist and lei maker based in Los Angeles.
Soogia & Ed
Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.Location: Taper Auditorium
Focusing on bringing positive representation and voice to the Asian community, Soogia and Ed have come together to bring that experience on a longer form medium through podcasting on "What in the Shibal". Soogia and Ed talk about what it is to be an Asian American through their experiences and their views on all sorts of topics – Nothing is off the table. They will be doing a live recording of “What in the Shibal” during AAPI Joy: Wellness, Resilience, and Resistance to talk about why they do this and what drives them. They will also be answering “Questions for Asian People from Non-Asian People” as well as answering audience questions as well.
Tales of Asia and the Pacific Islands
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.Location: Children’s Picture Book Room
Join storyteller Barbara Wong as she brings timeless tales to life with wonder, humor, and wisdom.
